No trips to NCAAs costs Michigan's Amaker his job

Tommy Amaker came to Michigan in 2001 to rebuild the basketball program.

After six seasons, a losing record in the Big Ten and no appearances in the NCAA tournament, Amaker was fired Saturday by athletic director Bill Martin.

"This is the toughest decision I've had to make since I've been athletic director," Martin said. "Tommy is a great guy. He provided leadership and helped moved the program forward from a difficult time. I'll never forget that. But this is in the long-term best interest of the program to change."

Amaker's contract runs through the 2010-11 season. According to its terms, he will receive a $900,000 buyout.

Martin, who made Amaker his first high-profile hire as athletic director, said that he made the decision to fire Amaker over the last week and that the decision was his alone.

Those with knowledge of the situation said that Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman signed off on the firing, but confirmed that Martin initiated the process.

Amaker called his own news conference Saturday, unusual for an outgoing coach. He took the firing as well as could be expected, saying he wasn't shocked but was disappointed.

"No one wants to be told their time is up," he said. "I think it's obvious when you put your heart and soul into it you are disappointed because you want to see it through."

Amaker finished 109-83 (43-53 in the Big Ten) and won more than 20 games three times but failed to reach the NCAA tournament, coming close the last two years. This season Michigan finished 22-13.